RATINGS

The Exception [2017] ★★½

Christopher Plummer dazzles once again in “The Exception”, a well-made WWII thriller that could have been easily filmed in the 1940’s. Based on Alan Judd’s 2003 novel, the story follows German soldier Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney), who is on a mission to investigate ex-German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II (Christopher Plummer), who now lives in a secluded mansion in The Nederlands. There’s mystery and suspense, as well as a romance in this tightly scripted narrative, which features good actors like Lily James and Eddie Marsan. The only thing missing from this otherwise entertaining WWII film is a genuine sense of peril in its key moments. As much as I enjoyed watching the story unfold, I thought the climax was a letdown. Still, the main attraction here is 87-year-old Christopher Plummer who steals every scene he appears in. That, and an intriguing plot make “The Exception” worth seeing.